This happened....

  Last week she was drinking from a sippy cup

and just the other day 

she decided she was old enough

 to get all dressed up for a school social..

 She decided she was old enough 

to borrow these from her cousin...

 She decided she was old enough 

to have someone else do her hair and makeup

And I decided that time with her is short...

She is growing up.

In about 25 years,

when I think about letting her loose to date,

 this will be posted across the door frame of my house:

"He that would the daughter win, 

must with the mother first begin."

 ~English Proverb

"If you want your children to improve, 

let them overhear the nice things you say about them to others."

~Haim Ginott

Emma..

If you're reading this, I hope you hear me...

YOU

are a beautiful reflection of God Himself.

He planned it that way.

He placed in you everything you would need for

LIFE

and

GODLINESS

and then He said that everything you need

HE will be.

Beauty 

comes from Him

We can't force it

can't slip it on

can't paint it on

It happens

when day upon day

we focus on Him.

What HE has given you as a gift on the outside

He is cultivating on the inside...

Let Him.

“Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon you.” 

and 

IN you....

You are beautiful...

You are sacred...

A planting of the LORD 

FOR THE DISPLAY OF HIS SPLENDOR...

display Him well...

I love you.